California's community college system is experiencing significant division over a new competency-based education model that would award degrees based on demonstrated skills rather than traditional grades. The initiative, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom and supported by $9 million in state funding, has sparked intense debate between administration and faculty, particularly at Madera Community College.

Under the new model, students can progress at their own pace and complete courses by proving mastery of specific competencies, without mandatory class attendance or traditional grading. The program aims to help the 6.8 million California adults who have high school diplomas but lack college degrees.

Eight community colleges were selected to implement this model by 2024-25, with Coastline College in Orange County leading the way. However, significant resistance has emerged, particularly at Madera Community College, where faculty have issued a vote of 'no confidence' in President Angel Reyna over the implementation of the program.

Faculty concerns center on several key issues: the substantial workload required to design new curricula, potential difficulties in transferring credits to four-year universities, and claims of insufficient faculty involvement in the decision-making process. The Madera Community College Academic Senate has called for complete withdrawal from the experiment.

Meanwhile, other institutions like Merced College have successfully launched similar programs, including an agricultural certificate program requiring mastery of 14 different skills. The state has extended the implementation deadline to 2027, acknowledging the challenges faced by participating colleges in adapting their accreditation, employee contracts, and financial aid systems.

The controversy has escalated beyond educational concerns, with college administrators accusing the academic senate of violating the Brown Act and targeting Latino leaders, while faculty argue the issues stem from broader governance and leadership problems.